Lynne Ellison: I wrote the book in the space of a month when I was 14, and not having to put in much effort at school. Parts of it were scribbled down in the back row in Geography lessons. The idea evolved slowly but once it took hold and I got started, the ideas came so thick and fast that I could hardly get them down quickly enough. Probably I could never write with that single-minded determination again. This was my second book, the first being an interminably rambling affair about a wild horse that stretched over ten or twelve notebooks. The animal had so many adventures it must have died 90 years old. I recognised the book was no good but it taught me the value of planning, brevity and sensible chapter division.
I was a dreamy bookish adolescent then whose favourite reading was horse stories and the ancient world, preferably Greece or Rome. I loved Rosemary Sutcliffe’s novels. The Romans particularly fascinated me, and still do. If I could find a Green Bronze Mirror and go back there, I would. Oddly enough, I saw a bronze mirror exactly like the one I had imagined in February this year, in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
Of course there was a huge fuss when the book was published, because I was so young. My mum and grandparents were delighted, and that was fine. The attention and the book launch in London were nice, but after a while it became embarrassing. I was at an age where I hoped boys might start noticing me, but naturally the book was a real killer. If they got wind that I was a published writer they couldn’t get away fast enough, plus I was shy, a bit dumpy and wore glasses. (This was well before John Lennon made specs trendy.)
I haven’t written anything since. After that time, real life took over-A-levels, university, love, getting a job. My book has gathered dust on my shelves for forty years, but now I’m starting to think, why not start turning over a few ideas? There are one or two dusty ones hanging about in the back of my head.
—end guest post—
Thank you Lynne, for sharing your writing history with us! This is such an interesting scenario for me: historical fiction and time travel! I’ve often thought about writing this type of YA novel myself. Since I have been reading a lot of YA fiction lately, I was happy and excited to accept this book for review (coming soon) and perhaps even pass it on to my 9 year old daughter. It looks like such a fun read!
The Green Bronze Mirror
by Lynne Ellison
description:
“Karen is playing on the beach when she finds an ancient mirror buried in the sand. She looks into it, and is transported back in time to the Roman empire. Finding herself a slave, she faces many hair-raising adventures in her struggle to return to her own time.”
This long-lost work of young adult Roman fantasy/historical fiction in the great tradition of Rosemary Sutcliff, first published in 1966 and since out of print, has been reprinted in a new paperback edition with BRAND-NEW illustrations by Philip Smiley. The book is NOW available from Cnposner Books: also from Ebay and Amazon.
1 copy for giveaway: Leave your name and email address. Open to everyone. Ends December 15, 2009.
Hello, my name is Arleigh... welcome to my book review site! Here you will find author guest posts, book news, reviews and various articles on the genre. My favorite author is Jean Plaidy, of whom I have built a 
it is so fantastic that the book is being republished after so long. And I enjoyed reading the story behind the writing of it. The horse story also sounds like a lot if fun.
Thx for sharing.
This sounds really interesting! I think it is great when young adult books focus around history, such as the Duchessina book you mentioned earlier that Lucy read to her daughter. Great to get the kids fascinated by history at a young age! Then they grow up to be obsessed with the past like us!
I have just read the Green Bronze Mirror and really enjoyed it. I think Lynne Ellison must write more books even if life has intervened and got between her and her writing up to now. Such is life for us women writers!
Oh- this is soo interesting- and amazing that it’s being republished. I love the author guest post and can absolutely relate with her ‘bookish’ experience- charming:) I wonder if it may be too young for my sophia?
Wow what a young age to be a published author at. That is so interesting. Good post!
This sounds so interesting. I love reading about the author. I have a daughter that would really love to read this.
I think it is so cool when people can get published at a young age – it shows that you really can do anything if you put you mind to it.
Must be very talented to be published so young. Please count me in for this interesting book.
Please include me in your giveaway, the book seems really interesting
I think Ellison’s story might be more compelling than her novel! I certainly hope she goes back to writing. I love Rosemary Sutcliffe novels, and think there aren’t enough of that type in the world. Thanks for letting us know about the giveaway AND the author’s experience!
This sounds like a really fun read! Throw my name in the hat!
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
I would like to be entered in the draw for a free copy of The Green Bronze Mirror
Count me in, please!
Please count me in (again, eheheheh).
Thanks for one more giveaway.
This sounds like a wonderful story.
That young, huh? Sounds interesting…
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
14? Wow! The book sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway.
Amazing! Love to be entered.
nina.happyendings@yahoo.co.uk
international.
Please count me in!
milkavainamo@lyseo.edu.ouka.fi
I love time travel stories!! Count me in please
Thank you!
This sounds like a fun read – count me in please!
gaby317nyc at gmail dot com
Please enter me- I just finished Rosemary Sutcliffe’s Lantern Bearers, and I’d love to read a story drawn on that one!
Looks like a very interesting read. Please count me in.
I would love to read this.. Please count me in!
Would love to read this. Thanks for the contest!
Great giveaway!
Do count me in, please.
Hey there!
o_rei_de_havana [at] hotmail [dot] com
Nice drawing.
Is it the one for the cover?
dr.strangelove.vs.citizen.kane
@
gmail.com
All books are important to understand where an author comes from!
catarina dot magoito at gmail dot com
I hope I get lucky!
39(dot)5susy(at)gmail(dot)com
goncalo DOT mil AT gmail DOT com
Me again!
Please enter me in the draw, thanks. I read this novel when I was about 13 and, wanting to be a writer myself, was both inspired and intimidated when I discovered the author was only 14 at the time she wrote the story. Great to hear her talk a bit about it. (By the way, it took me until age 40 to get my first book published!)
jacquiepea at telus dot net
Wow! 14 years! I am amazed!
I wish I was capable of writing at that age!
Count me in, please!
joanapatriciadias
@
gmail.com
Hey there!
One more great chance!
I will try my luck!
tanitalves AT sapo DOT pt
Sounds interesting. Is today too late though?
Not too late! 4 more hours!